"A Change Is Gonna Come" is Sam Cooke’s most enduring and influential song, released in December 1964. Written during a period of intense racial tension in the United States, it has become an anthem of the civil rights movement and one of the greatest protest songs in American music history123.
Background and Inspiration
Cooke was inspired to write the song after experiencing racial discrimination firsthand—most notably when he and his entourage were turned away from a whites-only motel in Louisiana in 196312. That year was marked by violent events, including the Birmingham church bombing that killed four Black girls, the use of fire hoses and dogs against Black youth, and the assassination of civil rights leader Medgar Evers2. Cooke, a former gospel star turned pop and R&B icon, felt compelled to address the struggle and hope of African Americans in a way he hadn’t before21.
He was also influenced by Bob Dylan’s "Blowin’ in the Wind," which made him realize the power and necessity of a Black artist addressing racial injustice directly in song345. After hearing Dylan’s song and speaking with civil rights demonstrators, Cooke wrote "A Change Is Gonna Come" as both a response and a message of hope45.
Lyrics and Themes
The song opens with the evocative lines:
"I was born by the river, in a little tent
Oh, and just like the river, I’ve been running ever since"46.
Cooke’s lyrics reflect both personal hardship and the collective struggle of Black Americans. The verses reference fear, exclusion, and repeated setbacks—"I go to the movie and I go downtown / Somebody keep telling me, 'Don’t hang around'"—but the chorus is a declaration of resilience and hope:
"It’s been a long, a long time coming
But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will"64.
The song’s final verse expresses exhaustion but also newfound strength:
"Oh, there been times that I thought I couldn’t last for long
But now I think I’m able to carry on"64.
Reception and Legacy
Though only a modest commercial hit at the time, "A Change Is Gonna Come" was quickly embraced by the civil rights movement and has since been recognized as one of the greatest songs ever recorded14. It was selected for preservation in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry for its cultural and historical significance1. In 2025, Rolling Stone named it the greatest protest song of all time1.
The song’s orchestration, gospel roots, and Cooke’s soaring, emotional delivery have made it a touchstone for countless artists and activists. Its message of hope in the face of adversity remains as powerful and relevant today as when it was written.
Key Facts Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Writer | Sam Cooke |
| Release Date | December 22, 1964 |
| Inspiration | Racial injustice, civil rights movement, personal experiences |
| Notable Features | Orchestral arrangement, gospel influence, protest anthem |
| Chart Performance | US #31 (Billboard Hot 100) |
| Legacy | Civil rights anthem, Library of Congress, Rolling Stone #1 protest song |
Summary
"A Change Is Gonna Come" is Sam Cooke’s profound, soulful response to the pain and hope of the civil rights era. Inspired by personal experience and national tragedy, and influenced by the protest songs of his time, Cooke’s masterpiece endures as a universal anthem of resilience, faith, and the promise of justice213.
